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Goddess Vajravarahi
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This powerful red goddess dances vigorously and raises one hand that would have held a flaying knife, while the other once held a skull cup. Her bone skirt and garland of freshly severed heads complement the skulls that adorn her crown. Her eyes bulge, her brow furrows, and she bares her teeth. These attributes communicate her power to assist her followers in overcoming passions, ignorance, and fear. This is one of the earliest surviving images made of unbaked clay, using an iron armature and rope strings to support the ornament.
| Artist / Maker | Nepal |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1040–c. 1310 |
| Culture / Origin | Nepal |
| Medium | unbaked clay and pigment |
| Dimensions | Overall: 63.5 cm (25 in.) |
| Department | Indian and Southeast Asian Art |
| Type | Sculpture |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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